Coming into the contest on the back of successive wins in the PL, Everton started in electric fashion, and took an early lead after just five minutes.
Amadou Onana (21) did brilliantly well to dispossess Casemiro (30) in midfield, allowing Demarai Gray (26) to advance towards the box and feed Alex Iwobi (26), who curled a superb effort into the far corner.
Undeterred by the setback, the visitors responded with an immediate equaliser, as Anthony Martial’s accurate through ball was clinically dispatched by Antony (22) for his third PL goal in as many games.
Despite their slow start, United looked by far the more threatening side during an entertaining opening half-hour, with Pickford (28) called into action to deny both Christian Eriksen (30) and Martial.
The visitors continued to dominate proceedings with HT approaching, and took a deserved lead shortly before the break when Casemiro fed Ronaldo (37), who fired a low strike beyond Pickford for his 700th club career goal.
The opening exchanges of the second half were closely-fought, as Everton searched for a route back into the contest.
However, the United rearguard - despite conceding six last time out in the PL against rivals Manchester City - stood firm to withstand the pressure, as the Goodison faithful geared up for one final push in the remaining 20 minutes.
With nine minutes left on the clock, United thought they’d wrapped up the three points when Marcus Rashford battled past James Tarkowski and Pickford to slot home.
However, the goal was harshly chalked off for handball, giving the hosts a vital reprieve going into the final five minutes.
Everton looked to make the most of this escape as they pressurised the United goal, but Onana glanced their best opportunity wide of the target, as the visitors held on for a hard-earned victory.
